PBS NewsHour’s and Miami Native Yamiche Alcindor and WLRN Public Media’s Luis Hernandez will co-moderate the Florida Freedom Forum primary debate
SEIU Florida State Council, Dream Defenders Action Fund, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC) Votes, New Florida Majority, Organize Florida, Planned Parenthood Florida PAC, and Color of Change PAC Have Joined to Host the June 11 Event
Miramar, FL - Local and statewide community groups have come together to host a gubernatorial debate for the democratic primary this summer. The co-moderators include PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor and local NPR affiliate WLRN’s Luis Hernandez. Alcindor is the White House Correspondent for PBS NewsHour and a contributor to NBC and MSNBC. A Miami native, she is a proud graduate of Fort Lauderdale High School and got her start in journalism locally interning at the Westside Gazette and the Miami Herald. Hernandez is the host for South Florida NPR affiliate WLRN’s latest daily talk show, Sundial, and the news anchor for All Things Considered. A Florida resident for nearly 40 years, he has spent nearly 14 years in public broadcasting in Miami, Las Vegas and Gainesville, FL.
“We are thrilled to have Florida natives and dedicated journalists, Yamiche and Luis, to co-moderate the Florida Freedom Forum,” Monica Russo, President of SEIU Florida State Council, said. “This year, we are at a pivotal moment for change across our state. Floridians are connected more than ever to the issues that will define this election year. All eyes are on our state as we head towards November. We look forward to this first discussion in South Florida to help highlight the issues facing our communities.”
The Florida Freedom Forum is being hosted by a coalition of groups including SEIU Florida State Council, Dream Defenders Action Fund, Florida Immigration Coalition (FLIC) Votes, New Florida Majority, Organize Florida, Planned Parenthood Florida PAC, and Color of Change PAC.
All four democratic gubernatorial candidates are confirmed to attend and participate in the two hour debate including Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former U.S. Representative Gwen Graham, Chris King, and former Mayor of Miami Beach Philip Levine.
The debate will take place in front of a live audience of approximately 800 at the Miramar Cultural Center on Monday, June 11. Doors will open at 5:30PM and the debate will begin promptly at 7:00PM. Tickets are being distributed to local community members through the host organizations. The debate will be livestreamed on SEIU Florida and PBS NewsHour digital channels.
FOR MEDIA ONLY: Media wanting to cover the event must RSVP by June 10 and provide proof of media credential on-site: https://secure.everyaction.com/mOaDpTxfjEqOnMosezuzeA2
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About SEIU Florida
SEIU Florida represents over 55,000 active and retired healthcare professionals, public employees, and property service workers in the state of Florida. SEIU members provide vital public services in Florida’s hospitals, nursing homes, public schools, community colleges, municipal and county governments, malls, and universities. With over 2.1 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America.
About Yamiche Alcindor, PBS NewsHour
Yamiche Alcindor joined the PBS NewsHour as White House Correspondent in January 2018 and serves as a political contributor for NBC News and MSNBC. She joined the New York Times in 2015, where she covered the presidential campaigns of then-Republican candidate Donald J. Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders.
Prior to joining NewsHour, Alcindor covered Congress, the impact of the Trump Administration’s policies on working class Americans and people of color, and the intersection of race and politics in America for the Times. She was previously a national breaking news reporter for USA Today where she reported on the Newtown, Conn. school shooting, the death of Trayvon Martin, and police related protests in Ferguson, Mo. and Baltimore, Md. Read more about Yamiche Alcindor.
About Luis Hernandez, WLRN -- South Florida’s NPR News Station
Luis joined the WLRN newsroom in 2014 and has spent roughly 14 years in public broadcasting, including previous stops in Las Vegas and Gainesville, FL. He grew up in Palm Beach County, spent Hurricane Andrew in a closet in Doral, and has spent almost 40 years living in the Sunshine State.
Before entering the realm of public radio, Luis worked in news and sports for Clear Channel Communications in Miami, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville. Read more about Luis Hernandez.